HTC Droid Incredible owners have been patiently waiting for their Android 2.3 Gingerbread update and while we still don't have an actual release date for it, HTC is now advising folks it will be arriving "this summer" as noted in the email below:
Dear [Redacted]:
I understand your concern about wanting to know when the Android 2.3 upgrade will be released for the HTC Incredible. I’m pleased to inform you that there is going to be an update this summer to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). At this time we do not have any more information about the update. When the update is released we will announce it on www.htc.com and www.facebook.com/htc.
If you feel you need more information, you are welcome to send us another
email or you can contact the HTC Technical Support team at [Redacted] daily from 6:00AM until 1:00AM Eastern.
We've seen similar emails come from HTC before for various other devices, so you kind of have to take them with a little grain of salt. Ultimately, it'll be pushed out when it's ready but it is always nice to get some kind of time frame from the folks behind the software. Thanks, Michael, for sending this in!
Reader comments
HTC confirms Android 2.3 Gingerbread coming to Droid Incredible this summer
And thus, I'll probably have my 2.3 before my wife has 2.2 on her POS Fascinate.
Good to hear that it is coming. I was hoping it would be sent out soon after the Incredible 2 releases but guess we'll wait a little longer.
That is the only news I have wanted to hear. Just another reason top hold on to my DInc. I wonder what improvements it will bring.
Heh. Wasn't expecting that considering it's "End of Life", I just installed CM7 on my Incredible last night thinking that 2.2 was it. Guess I'll wait and see how this update looks. If it fixes the "low space" issue, I might go back.
Hip hip....... hurray!
10-1 the Evo gets it first. :)
U mean thunderbolt
no way the evo gets gingerbread before the evo 3d is released. if history is anything to go by, look for the evo 3d in june...I would bet a minute amount of money the evo sees gingerbread no sooner than july.
Noyce! But already on 2.3.3 with CM7 final, and I have to say cm7 is amazing after the final was released.. so snappy, fast and reliable.. no lag freezing or force closes like the nightlies, then again it could be the way I reloaded all my apps this time (only restored data to games)., and to dustomans comment, I used to always get that low app storage warning but not once on cm7 fyi.. can't wait for some new 2.3 Inc sense Roms..
what about the Droid pro
I BET ANY MONEY THE SAMSUNG EPIC 4G GETS IT FIRST. LOOOOOL NOT IN A MILLION YEARS. THAT PHONE WONT GET IT PERIOD....EVEN THOUGH IT WAS PROMISED.......
Surprisingly, I love my DInc more now than I did when I first got it days after it was released last year (the AMOLED screen is nicer than I thought it would be). And I'm very much looking forward to getting Gingerbread on it. Maybe I'll love it even more. I just hope that Sense is updated as well.
I'll be rocking a stock configuration until my contract is up. Once that day hits, I'll try whatever version of CM is out. That way, if I brick the DInc I can just go get a new phone. If all's well, I'll keep it until it won't work anymore.
Bring it on!
I am very happy to hear this.........thank you HTC
Damn you HTC, release Gingerbread for the Evo 4G. That is all.
Dinc owners waiting patiently?? Not this Dinc owner... CM7 since it came out including all the nightlies. Before that for a couple weeks was OMGB and OMFGB, now I am alternating back and forth between CM7 and MIUI 1.48GB
This new MIUI Gingerbread is astounding, and battery life is much improved. I have become a huge fan.
As most of you know I have been one of the most vocal and staunchest defenders of the HTC Droid Incredible on these forums. I can no longer give this product or this company my support.
I contacted HTC after I read that they were not planning to update the Droid Incredible to Android 2.3 "Gingerbread" despite many assurances from Verizon and HTC, and many articles in the technical press, that they were going to do so soon, with the date being pushed repeatedly into the future. The following is my initial query to HTC's support, their reply to me, and my response.
First, my initial contact:
________________________
I have just heard today, to my tremendous surprise, disappointment and anger, that you have dropped all plans to update the operating system of the Droid Incredible to Android 2.3 "Gingerbread."
This stands in stark contrast to information I received numerous times in the past from both HTC and Verizon Wireless, and also contradicts information I have read in the technical press on many occasions.
Could this really be true? If so, let me express my deep disappointment and resentment, while at the same time giving you my complete and honest assurance that I will never again for the rest of my entire life purchase or recommend any HTC product. Note that I am a highly respected communications technician and administrator, previously the Internet Services Administrator for NASA Headquarters, and my opinion on these matters is sought out by literally hundreds of other people, many of whom purchased the Incredible solely at my recommendation.
Please tell me that I have been misinformed, because this is unacceptable with my phone still under contract for many months to come.
________________________
An HTC support person, "Stephen," responded:
Dear (redacted),
Thank you for taking the time to contact HTC in regards to Operating System upgrades to your Droid Incredible, (redacted).
Our goal is to give every customer the best possible experience on every phone. Every HTC phone is a combination of a unique HTC hardware and software experience and a core operating system. We only update our phones if it will provide an overall improved user experience as we balance features, performance and usability. Because of this, we will only be updating certain phones to Gingerbread. At this time, the Droid Incredible is not on that list.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause (redacted), and we hope that this does not detract from your enjoyment and use of the HTC Incredible. We deeply regret any dissatisfaction this issue may have caused. As always, we are here to answer any technical questions or concerns you have from 6am to 1am EDST, 7 days a week, or by phone at 1-866-449-8358. You may also visit us at www.htc.com/us/support for further assistance, user manuals, and helpful tips.
________________________
And this was my final communication with this despicable corporation:
This is unacceptable. I am quite certain that most of the more technically-oriented people who had been pleased with your product will find it similarly unacceptable and will abandon your company's products in their future purchasing decisions, as I will.
While I will stick with Verizon because they provide truly excellent coverage and user support, when my current contract with Verizon runs out next April I shall opt for a product from Samsung, Motorola, or another manufacturer who has shown themselves to be more willing to stand behind their products than you have done. The HTC Incredible broke new ground for usability, quality, features and convenience. It is the product that put HTC on the map, so to speak, and your decision to discontinue full support while most of its owners remain under contract is inexplicable to me, and totally, incontrovertibly, and unforgivably unacceptable. It damages your company's reputation beyond all repair, and I shall never purchase or recommend your products again.
I shall furthermore express my negative opinion of your extraordinarily substandard behavior in this regard as frequently and widely as possible, on Internet forums and elsewhere, in hopes that others do not make the same mistake that I made in expecting you to stand behind your products. I mean, Gingerbread was released last NOVEMBER, when my phone was only a few months into its contract. There is no excuse for this.
I am looking forward to April with a feeling of great anticipation for putting HTC in my past for good.